AIARE 1 is a multi-day introductory course that delivers 24 hours of training over 3 to 4 days, building the skills you need to travel in avalanche terrain. You’ll dive into the human factors that influence decision-making, learn to recognize avalanche-prone terrain and spot critical “red flag” conditions. In addition, you'll practice using your avalanche rescue gear to learn how to perform a companion rescue, giving you a solid foundation to go backcountry skiing and snowboarding with awareness and confidence.

Register for AIARE 1

Snowbird Mountain Guides' avalanche courses follow the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education Curriculum, as standardized by the American Avalanche Association.

Gear Up: As part of our partnership with Mammut, avalanche gear is available to demo for students enrolled in Snowbird Mountain Guides' Avalanche Education courses. Come check out Mammut's touring backpack, Barryvox transceiver, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel. 

• Ages: 16+
• Dates:
  • November 27-29, 2026
  • December 4-6, 2026
  • December 10-13, 2026 (Hybrid)
  • December 18-20, 2026
  • December 27-29, 2026
  • January 8-10, 2027
  • January 16-18, 2027
  • January 21-24, 2027 (Hybrid)
  • January 29-31, 2027
  • February 4-7, 2027 (Hybrid)
  • February 19-21, 2027 (Women's Specific)
  • February 26-28, 2027
  • March 4-7, 2027
• Schedule:
  • In-person days: 8 am - 4 pm
  • Hybrid course Zoom sessions: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
    Hybrid courses will have evening Zoom sessions on the first 2 days, then 2 full days in the field. All other courses will be in person for the 3 days with a mix of classroom and field time.
• Meeting Location: Snowbird, Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon field locations, conditions dependent
• Prerequisites: Students must be able to travel in backcountry terrain and have an advanced-intermediate level of downhill skiing or snowboarding in off-piste conditions. If you are new to backcountry ski or snowboard gear, please consider taking a Backcountry 101 Course before your AIARE 1.
• Required Equipment: Touring backpack, transceiver, shovel, probe (Mammut demo included if requested beforehand), ski poles, skis/splitboard with uphill capability, climbing skins cut and fitted for day 1
• Price: $635 (Mammut demo gear and lift tickets included)

Private courses are available upon request; please call Snowbird Mountain Guides at 801.933.2096 for rates and to book.